A Los Angeles judge on Wednesday approved six more witnesses to testify against Harvey Weinstein in his ongoing s.e.xual assault and rape case — but denied the prosecution’s request to put actress Daryl Hannah on the stand.
The disgraced Hollywood producer — who appeared in court in a wheelchair with a heavy metal chain around his waist attached to handcuffs — sat silently for most of the hour and a half hearing before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lisa B. Lench.
Prosecutors filed a motion under seal asking the judge to consider adding 16 more witnesses who claim Weinstein raped or sexually assaulted them, dating as far back as 1978, including the “Splash” actress.
After listening to the arguments from Deputy District Attorney Paul Thompson and defense attorney Mark Werksman, the judge agreed to allow six out of the 16 additional witnesses to testify at Weinstein’s trial.
The fallen film mogul is not facing charges related to the new witnesses, but they will testify to alleged prior bad acts.
Lench said she would let the jury hear from the six whose allegations occurred in the early 2000s to as late as 2016. She did not, however, allow witnesses such as Hannah, and others whose claims were “too remote” in time.
Werksman argued that allowing even one additional witness would unfairly prejudice the jury against his high-profile client.
The attorney also said his client’s “modus operandi” alleged by the new witnesses did not fit the charges Weinstein is already facing. When they (the jury) hears all of this stuff that happened literally over a 45-year period. … There will be such confusion that this court will lose control,” Werksman told the judge.
Weinstein, 70, has pleaded not guilty to several sex-crimes charges involving five unnamed women. Prosecutors allege he raped three women and assaulted two others between 2004 to 2013 in hotels around Beverly Hills.
Source: People
In other news – Sean Diddy Combs announces new record label
The 52-year-old rapper – who changed his middle name to Love last year – will release his first solo album since 2006’s “Press Play” on his new label, which he has been working on in partnership with Motown Records.
Love Records is “dedicated to R&B music and will release singles and collaborative projects from a collective of world-class artists, producers and songwriters,” and the ‘I’ll Be Missing You’ hitmaker. Learn more
